ORIA ANNOUNCES
SPONSORSHIP OF SCHOOL IN PAKISTAN
The General Membership of the Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA) overwhelmingly approved sponsorship of a school in a district on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan. The region contains one of the highest concentrations of carpet weaving factories in Pakistan. By approving the sponsorship, the ORIA committed itself to developing and maintaining a school for a period of three years. The school will be established through the Child Care Foundation (CCF), a non-profit organization.
"This ground-breaking initiative sets us on a course that should improve conditions overseas and ultimately lead to the elimination of illegal child labor," stated David Harounian, President of the ORIA. "Its importance cannot be overstated. I am extremely proud to be part of this initiative which involved the efforts of many individuals over the years -- and I am particularly proud of the ORIA's continued dedication to providing a better way of life for needy families and children in rug-weaving areas across the globe."
According to Harounian, "There is no better way to combat the problem of illegal child labor than to attack the underlying problems of poverty and lack of education. Children who work at the looms alongside their parents do so out of economic necessity. Schools, hospitals and other such facilities are an important part of the solution."
The ORIA approved the initiative at a May 25 meeting of its general membership. The ORIA, based in Secaucus, New Jersey, represents approximately 90 of the leading importers of handmade carpets into the U.S. market. Its membership includes the largest American importers of handmade carpets produced in India, Pakistan, Turkey, Nepal, Romania and China.
In addition to the ORIA initiative, several individual members of the ORIA have established or underwritten schools, hospitals, day-care centers and other facilities in Pakistan and India. At its May 25 meeting, the association also endorsed a long-term commitment to participating in other ongoing programs for the establishment of schools in rug weaving countries, through the CCF and other similar organizations. "Collectively, these efforts serve as examples of what can and should be done by our industry to ameliorate the conditions of children in the poorest areas of rug weaving countries," stated Harounian.